Aerosol oven cleanser



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AEROSOL OVEN CLEANSER Jacob Lincoln Perlman, Albany, and Richard D. Norden,

Delmar, N.Y., assignors to B- T. Babbitt, Inc, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York No Drawing. Filed Oct. 27, 1958, Ser. No. 769,585

3 Claims. (Cl. 252-158) or other character are encountered. More particularly,

this invention relates to a cleanser package in which the contents are under pressure and which package is designed to dispense the contents preferably in the form of a foam, to eifect the desired cleansing action.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a cleanser package for cleansing ovens and other similar surfaces, particularly iron, steel, copper and other metal surfaces (except aluminum) and surfaces coated with vitreous porcelain or other fired-n and/or alkaliresistant coatings, which cleanser package in use is efficient in effecting ready removal of dirt and deposits including diflicultly removable .burnt-on. fat deposits, which cleanser eifects such removal readily, which package permits ready application of the cleanser, i.e., by the simple operation of a push button or valve button, and which cleanser can be used safely, i.e., does not involve a fire hazard when applied to an oven or other heated surface which has been cooled. to room temperature or near room temperatre (25 -30 C.).

In accordance with this invention, the package comprises a dispensingpressure-tight container having a typical aerosol dispensing valve controlling flow through va discharge conduit leading to the base of the container, as shown, for example, in the United States Patent 1,892,750

cleanser concentrate containing as the essential constituents of the concentrate, caustic alkali, an alcoholic solvent for the alkali and other constituents of the cleanser as well as for the oils and fats, a liquid non-ionic detergent and a foam stabilizer or flow retarder, and; also having in such container a propellant substantially soluble in the alcoholic type solvent and chemically inert to the such glycols and ether glycols are butoxy ethoxy propanol, hexylene glycol, ethoxy triglycol, methoxy triglycol, diethylene glycol monobutylether (butyl Carbitol) and terpinyl ethylene glycol ether (T erposol No. 8). These glycols and ether glycols not-only raise the flash point of the alcoholic constituent of the solvent mixture, but also improve the solvent properties of the solvent system with respect to eifecting removal of burnt-on fats and other oily or greasy deposits.

The solvent system comprises from 4% to 60% by weight, preferably 10% to 30% by weight, of the concentrate. Of the amount of solvent employed from 4% to 20%, preferably 5% to 10%, is a low boiling aliphatic alcohol, and the rest 'a volatile glycol or glycol ether; the preferred content of the volatile glycol or glycol ether is about 5% to 20% based on the weight of the concentrate.

The foam stabilizer or flow retarder may be ethyl cellulose or hydroxy ethyl cellulose. The so-called medium and standard ethoxy type ethyl cellulose sold by Dow Chemical Company and the GKN & T ethoxy type ethyl cellulose sold by the Hercules Powder Company can be used. The amount of foam stabilizer incorporated in the concentrate should be from 0.01% to 3% by weight, preferably from 0.05% to 0.5% by weight based on the weight of the concentrate.

The non-ionic detergent employed may be any of the following, or a mixture thereof: polyoxypropylene poly. oxyethylene condensates (Pluronics), polyoxyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids (Ethofats), alkyl phenyl polyethylene glycol ether (Tergitols, lgepal) polyoxyethylated fatty alcohol (Emulphor, Renex), fatty acid amides (Ninols), ethylene and propylene oxide addition products of ethylenediamine (Tetronics) and polyalkylene glycols (Ucons). These detergents are liquid and their incorporation in the cleanser preparation can be effected without introducing anywater into the system. This is imof January 3, 1933, and having'insuch' container a cleanser constituents, i.e., the propellant will not react 1 therewith either to render these constituents ineffective or to cause the propellant to hydrolyze or otherwise decompose and lose its eifectivenessas a propellant. ..By concentrate as used herein is meant .all of the constituents of the package except for the propellant.

As the caustic alkali, sodium hydroxide or potassium portant in a cleanser stored in and dispensed from metal containers. 7

The above noted non-ionic detergents, improve the cleansing action in that they tend to dissolve fats and oils, to soften burnt-on deposits, to condition soil encountered on oven surfaces to facilitate their removal and also increase the flash point of the lower aliphatic alcohol constituent of the solvent system. The amount of nonionic detergent incorporated in the concentrate should be from 1% to 40%, preferably from 10% to 30. In gen- :eral, the greater the amount of caustic alkali the lower the amount of detergent within the'above noted ranges, and conversely, the smaller the amount of alkali the greater the amount of detergent employed Within the hydroxide is used. The caustic alkali employed should be substantially anhydrous. While a small amount of wateris not objectionable in the case of a cleanser to be stored in glass containers (the use of metal containers ispreferred), the cleanser should be substantially, preferably completely anhydrous to avoid corrosion of metal container walls. The amount of caustic alkali used based on the weight of the concentrate is from 1% to 10% prefalcohol containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms,-such as 'methanoLjethanol or propanol and a volatile glycol havpoint of the solution, however, is too low so that there is a possibility of the solution flaming when applied near or over an oven pilot light. To raise the flash point, the

volatile glycol or ether glycol is added. Examples of ranges above noted.

The concentrate may also contain 2-ethoxy ethanol (Cellosolve), ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (butyl Cellosolve), or Z-phenoxyethanol (phenyl Cellosolve), in amount of from 0.2% to 40%. based on the weight of the concentrate, preferably from 1% to about 25%. The Cellosolve, butyl or phenyl Cellosolve improves the solvent system and also facilitates the dissolution of the foam stabilizer or how retarder in the cleanser. While a cleanser containing Cellosolve, butyl or phenyl Cellosolve is preferred, satisfactory results are obtained with cleansers not containing this constituent, hence the invention includes such cleansers as well as those containing Cellosolve, butyl or phenyl Cellosolve.

The propellant, which is employed in amount of from 25% to of the contents of the container, preferably in amount of from 40% to 60%, the remainder being the concentrate, may be one or a mixture of the following: dichloro difluoro methane (Freon 12), tetrafluoro dichloro ethane (Freon 114), pentafiuoro monochloro ethane (Freon 115), trifluoro trichloro ethane (Freon 3 113), cyclic hexafluoro dichloro butane (Freon C 316), octafiuoropropane (Freon 218), cyclic octafluoro butane (Freon C 318), propane, butane, pentane, isobutane, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane and decane. The pro- 4. examples hereinafter identified the cleanser concentrate emerges from the container as a stream spray rather than a foam.

When the cleanser mixture is stored in glass or other pellant employed should be chosen so that it has the de- 5 containers of a material not subject to corrosion by alkali, sired vapor pressure at atmospheric temperature, i.e., gene.g., alkali resistant plastics such as polyethylene conerates a pressure within the container to effect dispensing tainers, the cleansing preparation may contain a small of the cleanser, which pressure is within safe limits for amount of water of the order of from 0.25% to 3% the container in which the cleanser is disposed to probased on the weight of the concentrate. The presence duce the package. Also the propellant should not hyof such amount of water aids in the cleansing action. drolyze or otherwise react with the alkali in the system The following examples are illustrative of the present to lose its effectiveness as the propellant, nor should it invention which, it will be understood, is not limited to react chemically with the alkali, detergent, solvent, flow these examples. In the examples which follow, the perretarder or other constituent of the cleanser to deleteriouscentage values are on a weight basis. The propellant ly aifect their solvent or cleansing action. used in all examples was a mixture of Freon 12 and The propellants above mentioned have been found Freon 114 in equal proportions. Other propellants mensuitable; the preferred propellant is a mixture of dichloro tioned above can be substituted for the mixture of Freons difluoro methane and tetrafiuoro dichloro ethane in ap- 12 and 114 and would, of course, be selected to give the proximately equal proportions. These propellants emd i ed vapor re, ployed in the proportions above indicated are soluble in the solvent system. Thus in the package the propellant Group A Examples is substantially completely dissolved in the concentrate and the contents are under the vapor pressure generated by The examples of this group all form an excellent foam the propellant usually of the order of from to 65 having exceptionally good cleansing action and all contain pounds per square inch gauge. Upon opening the dis- 25 potassium hydroxide as the alkali.

Ex. 1, Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Constituent per- 2, 3, 4, 5, e, 7, s, 0, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 10, cent perperperperperperperperperperperperperperpercent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent Potassium Hydroxide 2. 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 Methyl Alcohol 10 10.0 10.0 10.0 5.0 5.0

Butyl Carbitol Hexylene Glycol Butoxy Ethoxy Propanol Ethoxy Triglyml Ccllosolva Butyl Cellosolve Ethyl Cellulose, 100 cps Ethyl Cellulose, 20 m Ethyl Cellulose, 10 cos Pluronic L-62 21. 7

UOON LB385 Igepal O0530 19.0 19.0

Emulphogene B0420 19. 0

Watch..- 2.5 1.0 2.4 2.4 2.4 Propellant 45.0 45.0 45.0 45.0 45.0 45. 0 45.0 45.0 45.0 45.0 45.0 45.0 45.0 45.0 45.0 45.0

penslng valve the contents emerge, for most of the ex- In the examples of Group A the propellant 1s substanamples hereinafter given and for the preferred embodiments of the invention, as a foam which covers the spot to be cleaned, softens the burnt-on" deposits, reactswith the oils and fats to saponify them, emulsifies unreacted and reacted fats, oils and other soil present and in general conditions the charred fatty material and soil so that they are readily removed by a simple wiping action of the treated surface with an absorbent material such as cloth or paper. The surface to be cleaned should be The examples of this group form a stream spray having exceptionally good cleansing action.

Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Ex. Constituent 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, perperperperperperperperperperperperperperperpercent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent cent Sodium Hydro Ida 2. 0 1. 0 1. 25 2. 5 1. 25 P t i Hydmmde 2 0 2. 0 2. 0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2 0 1.0 1.25 1. 25 Methanol 8 0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 6.0 6.0 6.0 8.0 8 0 8.0 8.0 10.0 10 0 .0 Terposol No. 8 4 0 6.0 6.0 8. 0 9 0 Hexylcne Glycol Ethoxy 'Iriglycol.

Propellantwetted or moistened with water prior to spraying the cleaning mixture thereon. Water present on the surface activates the alkali and thus speeds the cleansing action. Substantially the same action takes place in the case of all the examples given, except that in the case of a few In the examples of Group B the propellant may be partially insoluble in the concentrate. Hence it is desirable to shake the containers well to form an emulsion which usually sprays as a stream rather than as a foam, as in the examples of Group A.

The following Example No. 33 contains no Cellosolve constituent.

The above examples as Well as other cleansers embodying this invention may be prepared by mixing the constituents of the concentrate at room temperature, the mixture chilled to a temperature at or below the temperature at which the propellant is in the liquid phase and the chilled mixture introduced into the dispensing container. Thereafter the propellant under refrigeration and in the liquid phase is introduced into the dispensing container, dissolving (substantially completely in the case of the examples of Group A above and partially in the case of the examples of Group B). in the solution of the concentrate. The container is then sealed. Upon standing, the temperature of the container rises to room temperature placing the concentrate under the vapor pressure of the propellant.

Upon opening of the valve which controls the discharge from the dispensing container, the solution forms in the preferred embodiment, the examples of Group A above, a stable foam which has little tendency to flow, blanketing the spot or spots to which it is applied and effecting softening and dissolving of burnt-on and other tenacious oily or greasy deposits which become emulsified and readily removable by a simple wiping treatment. In the case of examples of Group B, the solution is dispensed as a stream spray which acts in much the same manner as the foam. After the burnt-on or greasy deposits become emulsified they are removed with either a damp cloth or sponge. If the deposit is heavy, a second application of the oven cleanser may be necessary or a steel wool or soap pad may be used to eifect complete removal of such heavy deposits.

It will be noted that the present invention provides a cleanser particularly adapted for use in cleaning ovens and similar surfaces, which cleanser can readily be applied, is exceptionally efiicient in use in effecting removal of burnt-on fatty deposits and is safe to use, presenting no fire hazards when applied to surfaces which are at room temperature or near room temperature. In the case of the volatile combustible propellants mentioned (the hydrocarbons) there is a fire hazard if sprayed near or over a lighted pilot light. In the absence of a pilot light this hazard does not exist, e.g., it does not exist in the case of electric ovens, oven racks which are cleaned separately, charcoal grilles, etc.

Since certain changes may be made in the above described cleanser and difierent embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A package consisting of a pressure-tight container having a valve-controlled opening and containing a composition for use in cleansing ovens and similar surfaces, said composition consisting of a substantially anhydrous cleansing concentrate and a volatile propellant dissolved in said cleansing concentrate, the cleansing concentrate being confined in the container under the vapor pressure of the propellant, and consisting essentially of from 1% to 10% by weight of a caustic alkali from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; from 4% to 60% by weight of a volatile alcoholic solvent mixture, said mixture consisting of from 4% to 20% by Weight of an aliphatic alcohol containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and the rest of said mixture being a volatile compound selected from the group consisting of a glycol containing from 2 to 20 carbon atoms and a glycol ether containing from 4 to 20 carbon atoms; from 0.01% to 3% by Weight of a flow retarder compatible with the other constituents of said composition and which retards flow of said cleansing concentrate and stabilizes the foam produced by said concentrate, said flow retarder selected from the group consisting ofethyl cellulose and hydroxy ethyl cellulose; and from 1% to 40% by weight of a liquid detergent selected fromthe group consisting of polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene condensates, polyoxyethylene glycol esters of fatty acids, alkyl phenyl polyethylene glycol ether, polyoxyethylated fatty alcohol, fatty acid amides, and ethylene and propylene oxide addition products of ethylenediamine, said package containing from 25% to by Weight of said propellant, the rest being said concentrate.

2. The package as defined in claim 1, in which the propellant is from the group consisting of chlorinated and fiuorinated hydrocarbons having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, fluorinated hydrocarbons having 3 to 4 carbon atoms, and hydrocarbons having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms.

3. The package as defined in claim 1, in which the propellant is a mixture of dichlorodifluoro methane and tetrafluoro dichloro ethane.

References tlited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Chem. Pub. Co., New York, page 288.

Lesser: Soap and Sanitary Chemicals, October 1952, pp. 4245, 169.

Pickthall: Manufacturing Chemist, December 1957, pp. 541 and 542. 

1. A PACKAGE CONSISTING OF A PRESSURE-TIGHT CONTAINER HAVING A VALVE-CONTROLLED OPENING AND CONTAINING A COMPOSITION FOR USE IN CLEANSING OVENS AND SIMILAR SURFACES, SAID COMPOSITION CONSISTING OF A SUBSTANTIALLY ANHYDROUS CLEANSING CONCENTRATE AND A VOLATILE PROPELLANT DISSOLVEED IN SAID CLEANSING CONCENTRATE, THE CLEANSING CONCENTRATE BEING CONFINED IN THE CONTAINER UNDER THE VAPOR PRESSURE OF THE PROPELLANT, AND CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF FROM 1% TO 10% BY WEIGHT OF A CAUSTIC ALKALI FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF SODIUM HYDROXIDE AND POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE; FROM 4% TO 60% BY WEIGHT OF A VOLATILE ALCOHOLIC SOLVENT MIXTURE, SAID MIXTURE CONSISTING OF FROM 4% TO 20% BY WEIGHT OF AN ALIPHATIC ALCOHOL CONTAINING FROM 1 TO 3 CARBON ATOMS AND THE REST OF SAID MIXTURE BEING A VOLATILE COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF A GLYCOL CONTAINING FROM 2 TO 20 CARBON ATOMS AND A GLYCOL ETHER CONTAINING FROM 4 TO 20 CARBON ATOMS; FROM 0.01% TO 3% BY WEIGHT OF A FLOW RETARDER COMPATIBLE WITH THE OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF SAID COMPOSITION AND WHICH RETARDS FLOW OF SAID CLEANSING CONCENTRATE AND STABILIZES THE FOAM PRODUCED BY SAID CONCENTRATE, SAID FLOW RETARDER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ETHYL CELLULOSE AND HYDROXY ETHYL CELLULOSE; AND FROM 1% TO 40% BY WEIGHT OF A LIQUID DETERGENT SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF POLYOXYPROPYLENE POLYOXYETHYLENE CONDENSATES, POLYOXYETHYLENE GLYCOL ESTERS OF FATTY ACIDS, ALKYL PHENYL POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL ETHER, POLYOXYETHYLATED FATTY ALCOHOL, FATTY ACID AMIDES, AND ETHYLENE AND PROPYLENE OXIDE ADDITION PRODUCTS OF ETHYLENEDIAMINE, SAID PACKAGE CONTAINING FROM 25% TO 75% BY WEIGHT OF SAID PROPELLANT, THE REST BEING SAID CONCENTRATE. 